Dulles CBP Arrests Saudi National Wanted on Sex Assault Charges

Release Date:

April 21, 2014

STERLING, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at Washington Dulles International Airport arrested a Saudi citizen Sunday who was wanted by the Stafford County, Va. Sheriff’s Office for sexual assault.

Hamad Mastour Alsuwat, 20, was scheduled to board a flight to Saudi Arabia when CBP officers determined Alsuwat to be the subject to a Stafford County arrest warrant. CBP officers verified the validity of the warrant and confirmed extradition. CBP officers arrested Alsuwat and turned him over to Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Police for extradition.

“CBP remains ever vigilant in intercepting those travelers that our laws identify as needing further scrutiny,” said Christopher Hess, CBP Port Director for the Port of Washington Dulles.

CBP placed an immigration detainer on Alsuwat, who is in the U.S. on a student visa. The detainer requires Alsuwat to be returned to CBP for further immigration processing upon the adjudication of any charges.

CBP conducts inspection operations and intercepts currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture products or other illicit items, and on average arrests 22 wanted persons a day at U.S. ports of entry nationwide.

Travelers are encouraged to visit CBP’s Travel website to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.